Inqlings: Long-held1789 letter at auction

An original

George Washington

letter, in the hands of a Philadelphia-area family since it was received in 1789 and previously unknown to the rest of the world, will go on the block June 12 at Christie's in New York.

Christie's

Chris Coover

says that days before his inauguration, Washington wrote the letter to Justus Henry Christian Helmuth (1745-1825), then pastor of St. Michael's & Zion in Philadelphia, the largest Lutheran congregation in America. Washington was replying to a letter of congratulations from Helmuth and his congregation.

The owner, whose identity was not disclosed, is a Helmuth descendant.

Washington wrote that he looked forward to "the blessings of a wise and efficient government" with himself as president, acknowledging the aid of "Providence" in the establishment of the new nation. The letter could fetch as much as $150,000, says Coover, senior specialist of books and manuscripts. He said copies of the letter were known, but there'd been no sign of the original.

Adding to the letter's rarity is that Washington was usually private and reticent about religion and his beliefs. It's also the only letter Washington ever wrote to a Lutheran group.

It'll be the Jennaphr and Jennifer show this morning on Fox29's

Good Day Philadelphia

, as

Jennaphr Frederick

camps out at Kildare's in downtown West Chester from 7 to 9 a.m. to chat with

Jennifer Aniston

fans who are hanging around town as Aniston and

Owen Wilson

shoot scenes from

Marley & Me

. The stars won't be there, as they're due to work overnight on a scene that has them running through "snow" in wedding clothes. Fox29 supposedly reached out to Glaceau, maker of the Aniston-endorsed smartwater, to hand out samples on West Gay Street. Most of the remaining filming will be done at a farmhouse near Chadds Ford.

The next occupant of the morning show slot on WYSP (94.1)? Speculation is running rampant. Trade paper Friday Morning Quarterback reported yesterday that it had heard that talks have begun with

Opie & Anthony

, who were let go in September to make way for

"Kidd Chris

"

Foley

, who was fired Friday.

Frank Lario

was heard yesterday playing music, which is the short-term plan.

Station general manager

Jim Loftus

said he was only now beginning to explore ideas. He added that the station would remain rock.

Demi Moore

has been wearing a sterling Lagos "key" necklace since she and

Ashton Kutcher

were spotted last week walking out of the Lagos store at 18th and Walnut streets. The necklace, which sells for $195, was designed by

Steven Lagos

to "enable the wearer to open whatever door is in front of her right now."

Those watching tonight and tomorrow's finale of Fox's

American Idol

will see the work of Cherry Hill's

Blair Levin

, who dresses the female singers. Levin, a 1988 Cherry Hill East grad, worked for nearly five years for

Mariah Carey

. The odd part of working on

Idol

, she says, is that she accompanies the singers on their shopping trips. For other clients, she shops alone.

Chef

Bobby Flay

worked last weekend, getting behind the stove Saturday night at his Bobby Flay Steak at the Borgata in Atlantic City to make dinner for comedian

Chris Rock

, who played two sold-out shows in the Event Center. On Sunday, Flay cooked for

Bruce Willis

and model girlfriend

Emma Heming

, who tried their hands at blackjack afterward. Flay also got a private tour of the Water Club, the Borgata's new $400 million luxe hotel opening next door next month, from friend

Geoffrey Zakarian

, who is overseeing its food-and-beverage operation.